Vaginal ring vs Hormonal IUD
Vaginal ring ingredients
Main hormones in Vaginal ring
progestin
Hormonal IUD ingredients
Main hormones in Hormonal IUD
progestin
What Lowdown reviewers say
41% no impact on mood
41% lighter periods
59% lost sex drive
47% no impact
41% no impact on skin
40% in 1 month
39% no impact on mood
44% stopped periods
41% no impact
49% no impact
42% no impact on skin
50% in 1 month
Check out our latest reviews
Real life reviews from people like you
Vaginal ring reviews
17 reviews
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
33 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2nd Feb 26
Used for 2,5 years, really lowed my libido after some month of use, get me a complete loss after some years. Later suspended for this same reason and because I had a vaginal yeast infection (not used precautions, such as vaginal ovuli with lactobacilli, useful in every hormonal contraception use). Tried years later, but had big problems with increased vaginal discharge (got a vaginal irritation caused by the costant humidity in my lady parts). Very practical (you can forget about it for 3 weeks), but lots of collateral effects (at least for me). You have to try ii to discover if it's good for you or if gives you difficult side effects (it's very personal). If none, can be a very good choise.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 31st Jul 25
I was put on the pill at 18 for irregular periods, had no problems after the normal first months of weight gain and mood changes. Later on I started a shift job in which I was on alternating shifts, 7a-7p, 11a-11p, 3p-3a, 7p-7a it was impossible to continue taking the pill at the same time everyday. Also I was working in a different state than my OBGYN and traveled alot so planning a procedure was not feasible. I was started on the ring and it was so much easier! My mood swings, breast tenderness were less, I lost some weight. Only thing was having all the symptoms of a 5 day period shoved into 3 days-so more blood and worse cramps. Previously I never needed a heating pad or meds-now I do BUT its only for 3 days. Overall best decision ever to switch to NuvaRing.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 30th Jun 25
Easy to use. However started having severe night sweats and have to sleep with AC very low. Love having regular periods. Went from 7 days of medium heavy bleeding to 3-4 light days. I did have a significant drop in my sex drive and it's now almost nonexistent which I did not know was a side effect. Overall though excellent birth control option
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
33 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2nd Feb 26
Used for 2,5 years, really lowed my libido after some month of use, get me a complete loss after some years. Later suspended for this same reason and because I had a vaginal yeast infection (not used precautions, such as vaginal ovuli with lactobacilli, useful in every hormonal contraception use). Tried years later, but had big problems with increased vaginal discharge (got a vaginal irritation caused by the costant humidity in my lady parts). Very practical (you can forget about it for 3 weeks), but lots of collateral effects (at least for me). You have to try ii to discover if it's good for you or if gives you difficult side effects (it's very personal). If none, can be a very good choise.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 5 yr
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 31st Jul 25
I was put on the pill at 18 for irregular periods, had no problems after the normal first months of weight gain and mood changes. Later on I started a shift job in which I was on alternating shifts, 7a-7p, 11a-11p, 3p-3a, 7p-7a it was impossible to continue taking the pill at the same time everyday. Also I was working in a different state than my OBGYN and traveled alot so planning a procedure was not feasible. I was started on the ring and it was so much easier! My mood swings, breast tenderness were less, I lost some weight. Only thing was having all the symptoms of a 5 day period shoved into 3 days-so more blood and worse cramps. Previously I never needed a heating pad or meds-now I do BUT its only for 3 days. Overall best decision ever to switch to NuvaRing.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 30th Jun 25
Easy to use. However started having severe night sweats and have to sleep with AC very low. Love having regular periods. Went from 7 days of medium heavy bleeding to 3-4 light days. I did have a significant drop in my sex drive and it's now almost nonexistent which I did not know was a side effect. Overall though excellent birth control option
Somewhat positive mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Hormonal IUD reviews
79 reviews
Used for 8+ yr
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
’m young (under 30) and yet desire is not there like it used to. I walk around with constant painful acne on my face no matter how many times I wash my face. I had it removed years ago and everything went back to normal. Then I got it again 3 years ago (still have it) and instantly remembered exactly why I got it removed in the first place.
Worse skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 15th Apr 26
I've tried all the pills out there for BC, but my last resort was the hormonal IUD to stop me hemorrhaging every month. For the last 9 months, I've had 4 UTIs and constant pelvic pain. I've seen a urologist twice, and the hypothesis is that the IUD is drying out not only my skin but my vaginal tissues as well. I wish I could get it out to remove myself this constant UTI type pain, but I haven't bled a lot in the last couple of months. It's a very bad negative for a semi positive.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2nd Apr 26
The insertion did cause me a great deal of pain, and the following days after I was cramping constantly. I am on my 2nd month of Kyleena and I do still experience some cramping in my day to day. It has made my period lighter but I have been bleeding for 22days.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 8+ yr
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2 weeks ago
’m young (under 30) and yet desire is not there like it used to. I walk around with constant painful acne on my face no matter how many times I wash my face. I had it removed years ago and everything went back to normal. Then I got it again 3 years ago (still have it) and instantly remembered exactly why I got it removed in the first place.
Worse skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
19 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 15th Apr 26
I've tried all the pills out there for BC, but my last resort was the hormonal IUD to stop me hemorrhaging every month. For the last 9 months, I've had 4 UTIs and constant pelvic pain. I've seen a urologist twice, and the hypothesis is that the IUD is drying out not only my skin but my vaginal tissues as well. I wish I could get it out to remove myself this constant UTI type pain, but I haven't bled a lot in the last couple of months. It's a very bad negative for a semi positive.
Very negative mood
2 more effects
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2nd Apr 26
The insertion did cause me a great deal of pain, and the following days after I was cramping constantly. I am on my 2nd month of Kyleena and I do still experience some cramping in my day to day. It has made my period lighter but I have been bleeding for 22days.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 27th Mar 26
No major changes but i started to have ovarian hemorrhagic cyst 3 times in the last 3 years. Got scared and now i am focusing on family planning technique, specifically measuring Basal Body Temperature (BBT). So super excited with this. Also using this amazing app called Cosia where I am not only tracking but also getting practical lifestyle tips to make my hormonal balance settle.
Decreased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
41 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 24th Mar 26
Absolutely loved my Mirena IUDs (I've had 3) compared to the other forms of birth control I've used. I did develop irritable bowel and didn't realize it was because of the IUD until I removed it and it went away (my doctor's also never suspected the IUD so I spent a lot of money and time with specialists only to find out it's a listed side effect in the insert). I've also had a steep decrease in migraines since removing my IUD, but besides the migraines and IBS, it was great!
Worse skin
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
36 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3rd Mar 26
Side affects can change as time passes. I noticed more side effects the longer I was on it.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
27 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 22nd Feb 26
Better than copper IUD. Similar in side effects to birth control ring except less effect on sex drive.
Increased sex drive
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
Lowdown user
🇺🇸 US
• 6th Feb 26
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 6 - 12 mo
34 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 23rd Jan 26
I initially thought I was having a positve experience, but after 3 months was diagnosed with Sebohrreic Dermatitis with an extremely itchy scalp and bumps on jawline. Within 5 months I started having noticeable hair loss. I have lost at least 50% density. It is now 11 months from insertion and still shedding drastically. 8 months after insertion, I started having cystic acne which Ive never experienced before. I use to have the Paraguard IUD and didnt have these symptoms
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
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